Urges Them To Safeguard Liberia’s Territory And Interest At All Cost
PHOTO: The newly commissioned officers of the AFL receive salute at the BTC barracks
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
Several soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have been commissioned as officers in the country’s military by the Commander-In-Chief (CIC), President George Manneh Weah.
Officers in the armed forces range from the rank of Lieutenant. Below the rank of Lieutenant downwards soldiers are called enlistedmen.
President Weah called on newly commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia to remain loyal to the constitution and be prepared to safeguard the territorial integrity and its interest at all cost.
The AFL CIC cautioned them to manage the resources that will be placed before them because they are also expected within the areas of assignments.
President Weah’s statement was contained in the speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Wesseh G. Blamoh at the program marking the graduation and commissioning of officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia over the weekend (Friday, February 24, 2023).
(L-R) Deputy Min. Tibli Dickson, Min. of State Wesseh Blamoh (Weah’s proxy at the ceremony), and AFL Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Prince C. Johnson, III
According to President Weah, it has been seven years since that last training of commission candidates for the AFL and thanked all those for their hard work in the training.
The Liberian leader described the occasion as a momentous in his presidency and welcomed the new commission officers in the rank and file of the Liberian army.
President Weah made it clear that the commissioning of these officers is coming at the time when Liberia is facing security challenges as result of the porous borders, armed robbery and drug trafficking
“These are posing threats to our existence as a nation especially when the country is heading towards presidential and legislative elections later this year” he said; adding: “your commissioning as officers in the army is a significant milestone in the nation’s history.”
The Liberian leader encouraged the officers to remain focus as they embark on their new military career by living by examples so that their colleagues in arms will look to them for professional guardians and leadership.
In remarks, the Deputy Minister Defense Minister for Administration, Tibli Diuckson , who represented National Defense Minister, Daniel Ziankahn at the program, said the commissioning of 40 officers in the Armed Forces of Liberia is a mile tone in the history of the Liberian army.
“For us as a country,” he went on, “this is a significant step and we will like to appreciate all militaries and governments which helped to make this a reality.”
He described those commissioners AFL are professionals who will boost the performance the role of the army in the military-civilian relationship in coming years and beyond.
Minister Dickson explained that most of those commissioned officers are people who have completed their degrees in the medical college and others from degrees in academic and professional fields.
According to him, these soldiers were recruited and trained from the mingle resources at the Defense Ministry by the high command of the AFL following the outbreak that rocked most of the countries in the world.
“This the first time in the history of the Liberian military to have this huge number of professionals joining the Liberian army,” he said; adding: “I want to seize this opportunity to admonish our people that the AFL will continue to build itself professionally in order to serve the Liberian people. “
Senate Defense Committee Chair says AFL setting good examples
Speaking in an interview shortly after the program, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs said there is a need for the Liberia national police to step up to the plate in meeting the security challenges in the country.
Senator Steve Zargo said the LNP has failed to find a clue to the many mysterious deaths and bring those responsible to justice.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs commended the Armed Forces of Liberia for exhibiting high level of professionalism
The program, which was held at the grand stand of the Barclay Training Center, was graced by officials of government, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of para-military organizations, relatives of the commissioned officers, among others.